Opinion

I lost half my right lung to cancer. Pope Leo's diagnosis gives me hope

Caught early and handled by a skilled surgeon and medical team, lung cancer is not a death sentence. It is a survivable disease

By Shira Kupperman Boehler Fox News

Published October 16, 2026 1:00pm EDT | Updated October 16, 2026 10:29am EDT

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Pulmonologist weighs in on Pope Leo's lung cancer surgery, diagnosis

Pulmonologist Dr. Cedric Rutland joins 'Fox & Friends' to share medical insights on Pope Leo's health following lung cancer surgery. Dr. Rutland explains the typical recovery process for lung surgery, noting why the pope is expected to remain in the hospital for a week.

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When Pope Leo told the crowd in St. Peter's Square on Sunday that doctors had found "a small, localized nodule" in his lung, the reassurances came fast. Most nodules are benign, media medical experts quickly said. Probably nothing to worry about.

I heard the same reassurances about my own lung not long ago. They were wrong then, and on Tuesday the Vatican confirmed they were wrong now. The nodule was adenocarcinoma, lung cancer. Surgeons removed the lower lobe of the Holy Father's right lung through a few small incisions, guided by a camera rather than an open chest, and he was back in his room the same afternoon.

POPE LEO DIAGNOSED WITH LUNG CANCER AFTER SURGEONS REMOVE PART OF RIGHT LUNG,........

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